DSB- deep sand bed bio filter

Infancy in the the field is the reason I disagree with his theories because there just that a theory, not hard tested results and for him to disregard remote dsbs as a waste of space without test results is far from good science..Eg; foot print size: with skimmers, bio and filters the foot print becomes smaller ,in other words it (remote DSB) complements the system.

To add - how do you take a DT based DSB off line if or when it causes problems ,how do you reseed it if required ( every 6-12mths according to some research) and how do you get ride of heavy metal and gas build ups if its in the DT without detrimental effects to the occupants .

Made for an interesting 2 hr long morning Tea convo at seamec...

snapperhead wrote:http://www.egtafe.vic.edu.au/pages/specialistcentres/seamec/index.htm

Its a collage/education center with Goverment/private funded labs for aquaculture and research for the seafood industry.not many links to there work for good reason im guessing.

Im not sure about the algae yet Im experimenting with an esturine sea grass in the lab system or what I think atm is a type of Cheatomorpha that im using in my aquarium sump now (still waiting for professional confirmation) I think the sea grass with roots into the DSB and a mix of other algae that attach to rocks may work better ,but time will tell..

Sounds interesting. Is your chaeto a temperate water species?

As far as other discussion goes, I feel that the research J-P references focuses strictly on tropical setups. Compared to tropical filtration methods, temperate filtration varies greatly in certain aspects, and in this case the DSB.

The suspect Chaeto is a temperate species, the reason Im not sure is the thinkness and color of the specimen and the lack of photographic records of the species Ive collected ,its a lot thicker and red to brown in color and very tight woven ,its attached to small rocks that are just under the sand or mud in shallow water 1/2 ft to 3ft ,but never exposed.

Im also exploring the benifits of Sea grass over Chaeto ..some reason why..

Seagrasses share many characteristics with their land ancestors. They have leaves, veins and roots and reproduce by flowers and seeds.

Few animals eat seagrass as they can't digest the cellulose contained in the leaves however swans, garfish and leatherjackets are known to select and eat seagrasses as part of their diet. Many animals such as snails and small crustaceans feed on the fine algae growing on the leaves.

Seagrasses are important sources of minerals and gases in the marine environment. One square metre of seagrass can generate up to ten litres of oxygen each day by photosynthesis.

Seagrass beds are highly productive.

Of about 60 species of seagrasses in the world, 16 species occur only in the cool waters around southern Australia. Seagrass in a DSB refuge would have to benifit the circulation, and help decrease heavy metal build up. (another reason I dont want a DT based DSB). I can trim the sea grass and remove the excess, and in turn avoid the extra heat and maintenance of an Algae scrubber. It also provides a home for pods,snails and epiphytes (epiphytes dont attach to algae) and is stronger and less likely to break fouling up wier combs and filters. Thats the way Im leaning at the moment why I plan out the next sump..

Sump update...I would love some feed back on this idea.

Im thinking of simulating a tidal zone in the sump, so an area of sand and mangroves recieve ebb and flow on a timer.A section of sump would be made taller than the normal flow hight of the dsb, this will house the Mangroves some algue and a deeper section of DSB with a small powerhead delivering timed slow flow ..This way the roots get the trickle action in the sand required for healthy growth and more aerobic bacteria .